Sheet handling device



Jan. 14, 1941. A, R, BRQTHERSON 2,228,298v

SHEET HANDLING DEVICE nventor E 1 :I: E.. ALP/Lim rorHg/so/v.

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m a z Z Pv AL/ Uli Jan. 14, 1941.

A. R. BRoTHERsoN 2,228,298 SHEET HANDLING DEVICE Filed Dec. 12, 1938 ssheets-sheet s l* h j@ En? u ,//O `\`\-`z5 f` T /e f f Patented Jan. 14,1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlCE SHEET HANDLING DEVICE ApplicationDecember 12, 1938, Serial No. 245,113

12 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in. sheet handlingdevices.

An important object of the invention is to provide an improved sheetclamping device primarily designed for the handling oi plate or windowglass but which can also be used to advantage in the lifting andcarrying of sheets or plates of other materials.

Another important object of the invention is to provide `an improvedclamping device of relatively simple, inexpensive construction forhandling a plurality of sheets or plates simultaneously and formaintaining them a predetermined distance from one another during suchhandling.

A further important object of the invention is to provide an improvedclamping device for facilitating the lifting and carrying of a pluralityof sheets or plates simultaneously, so constructed as to apply apositive gripping action to the said sheets or plates to avoid slippingthereof rela-tive to one another or the accidental displacement of thesheets or plates whereby to minimize the danger of breakage.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparentduring the course of the following description, when taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate likeparts throughout the same:

Fig. l is an end View of a sheet handling device constructed inaccordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the handling device;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the handling device takensubstantially on line 3--3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the stationary clamping unit of thedevice;

Fig. 5 is a perspective View of the movable clamping unit of the device;

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of a portion of the device; and

Fig. 7 is a vertical section through a portion of one of the movableclamping fingers taken substantially on line 1-1 of Fig. 5.

With reference now to the drawings and particularly to Figs. 4 and 5,there is illustrated in Fig. 4 the outer stationary clamping unitdesignated in` its entirety by the numeral IIl and embodying the ltwotransversely spaced series of clamping fingers II and I2, while in Fig.5 is i1- lustrated the inner movable clamping unit designated in itsentirety by the numeral I3 and insluding a. series of clamping fingersI4. The two clamping units Ill and I3 are adapted to be associated withone another, as will be more c1ear- 1y hereinafter described, in such amanner as to effect the clamping of a plurality of sheets of glass orthe like between the ngers II-I2 of Y spacer blocks I1 and are securedtogether by a 3 bolt I8. The two series of iingers II and l2 aredisposed in transverse alignment with one another and are connectedvtogether intermediate their upper and lower ends by the transversespacing strips I9. spacing strips I9 are received between the lingers II and I2 and are secured together and also to the fingers II and I2 bybolts 2l] and 2| extending transversely therethrough.

Arranged at one end of the series of lingers l I and I2 is'a plate 22also secured in place by the bolts 20 and 2I. Positioned between theopposed ngers II and I2 at the opposite end of the unit, and suitablysecured thereto, is a spacer plate 23.

The lingers I4 of the movable clamping unit I3 are maintained apredetermined distance from one another adjacent their upper ends by thespacer blocks 24 and are secured together by bolts 25 passingtransversely through the fingers and also through the spacer blocks. Thespace between adjacent fingers I4 is preferably the same as the spacesbetween the fingers Il and I2. Arranged at the opposite ends of theseries of lingers I4 `are the metal plates 26 and 21 also secured inplace by the bolts 25. The ngers Iii, spacerblocks 24, and end plate 26are notched at their upper edges to provide a substantially V-shapedgroove 28. The end plate 21 is not notched but instead is provided withan opening 29 disposed inv alignment with the groove 23.

In assembling the stationary and movable clamping units I Il and I3, thengers I4 of the movable clamping unit are adapted to be slippeddownwardly between the spacing strips I9 of the stationary clamping unitso that the movable clamping unit will be received between the twoseries of fingers II and I2 of said stationary clamping unit. The twounits are then loosely connected together by a pair of bolts 30 whichpass throughaligned openings 3l and 32 in the I.

The opposite ends of the n spacing strips I9 and end plates 22 and 23 ofthe stationary unit and through openings 33 and in the fingers I4 of themovable clamping unit. In this way, the movable clamping unit issupported intermediate the upper and lower thereof upon the bolts 39.The openings E15 and 34 in the ngers I4 of the movable clamping unit arerelatively larger than the bolts 3l) so as to provide a comparativelyloose t which permits the movable clamping unit to be rocked upon thebolts to move the fingers i4 thereof either into or out of alignmentwith the fingers il and I2 of stationary clamping unit l0 as will bemore clearly hereinafter described.

Secured to the outer edges of the ngers l and I2 of stationary clampingunit Il! are the metal hangers 35 and 31 respectively, said hangersbeing fastened at their lower ends by bolts 33 and 39 which pass throughopenings 4Q and fil respectively. The hangers '25 and 31 are bentinwardly as at 42 and 53 and terminate in the upm wardly extendingsubstantially parallel end portions 44 and 45 with which is associated ahandle 45. The handle d5 is provided to facilitate the lifting andcarrying of the device by the operator and comprises a horizontal rod 41passing transversely through openings in the end portions 44 and 45 ofhangers 35 and 31. Carried upon the rod 41 outwardly of the hangers aresleeves 48 and 49 while interposed between the end portions of saidhangers is a spacer block 50 through which the said rod t1 also passes.The device can be lifted and carried about by the operator by simplygrasping the handle 55.

Secured to the inner adjacent edges of the iingers II and I2 ofstationary clamping unit I0, by means of the bolts 38 and 39, are themetal plates 5| and 52 respectively provided at one end with projectingears 53 and 54. Received between the ears 53 and 54 are ccmplementalears 55 and 56 provided at the upper end of the operating lever 51. Theears 55 and 56 on lever 51 are pivotally carried by transverse 'bolts'58 which pass through the ears 53 and 54 on plates 5I and 52 so thatthe lever 51 can be vswung upwardly and downwardly to either asubstantially horizontal position as shown by the broken lines in Fig.3, or to a substantially vertical position as shown by the full lines.

Received within the V-shaped groove 28 `at the upper end of the movableclamping unit I3 is a bolt 59, said bolt passing at one end through theopening 29 in plate 21 and having threaded thereon nuts 60. The oppositeend of the bolt is provided with a head 6I formed with an opening 62.Passing through the opening 62 is a horizontal pin 63 carried by thesubstantially L- shapedbrackets 64 and 55 riveted or otherwise suitablysecured to the operating lever 51 as at 5t, (Fig. 2). The bolt 59 isloosely mounted upon pin t3 which is oifset with respect to bolts 58upon which the operating lever 51 pivots. Upon raising and lowering ofthe lever 51, pin 53 acts in the nature of an eccentric to swing themovable clamping unit I3 in'one direction or the other upon thesupporting bolts 3B.

When the lever 51 is swung to horizontal position as shown by the brokenlines in Fig. 3, the movable clamping unit I3 will be disposed in suchposition that the fingers I4 thereof will be in substantial alignmentwith the fingers II and l2 of the stationary clamping uniti, II). Whenthe lingers are in this position, the clamping device can be slipped,downwardly over aI plurality of sheets'or plates V5"'as shownin Fignl.-IThe clamping device illustrated in the drawings is capable of handlingsix sheets simultaneously, although it may, of course, be constructed tohandle either a smaller or a greater number of sheets. The upperportions of the sheets will be received within the spaces between thefingers II, I2, and I4 and the device can be slipped downwardly over thesheets until the upper edges thereof engage the spacing strips I9. Afterthe device has been properly associated with the sheets, the lever 51 isswung downwardly, at which time the pin 63 will move in an arc about thebolts 58 to draw the upper end of the movable clamping unit I3 forwardlyor to the left as viewed in Fig. 3. This will cause the movable clampingunit I3 to rock upon bolts 30 and swing the lower ends of the lingers I4thereof in the opposite direction to grip the glass sheets and clampthem rmly against the lingers II and I2 of the stationary unit.

In order to provide suilicient clearance for the proper ro'cln'ngmovement of the movable `clamping unit I3 upon bolts 3D, the spacingstrips I 9 are preferably notched or cut away between the iingers I Iand I2 as indicated at 61 in Figs. 3 and 4. When it is desired torelease the sheets y5, the lever 51 is simply swung upwardly tohorizontal position thereby rocking the movable clamping unit I3 in theopposite direction to move the lower ends of the ngers I4 thereof awayfrom the sheets. The movable clamping unit I3 is normally urged intonon-clamping position by means of a spring member 68 received at itslower end upon the bolts 30 outwardly of plate 22 and bearing at itsupper end against the metal plate 25 at the upper end of the movableclamping unit. Also carried by the bolts 30, outwardly of spring memberB8, is a metal plate 69 provided witha stop 19 for limiting the downwardswinging movement of the lever 51. spring member 58 and metal plate 69are secured against the end plate 22 by the nuts 35 threaded upon bolts30.

To improve the gripping action of the ngers i4 of movable clamping unitI3, they are each preferably provided with a pair of resilient grippingpads 1I of rubber, rubber composition or the like. These pads normallyproject slightly beyond the faces of the fingers I4 as shown in Fig. '1,and serve to yieldably but firmly clamp i'.

the sheets in place against the fingers II and I2 of the stationaryclamping unit. The pads 1I may be formed with cylindrical portions 12inserted within openings 13 in the fingers I4.

rIfhe clamping device above described may ob- I viously be employed forhandling sheets or plates of any material and for any desired purpose.One use, however., to which this device is especially adapted is for thehandling of sheets or plates of glass to facilitate the lifting of aplu' rality of sheets simultaneously from a buck or the like and placingthem in proper position upon a horizontal roller yrunway leading to anedge grinding machine. The device can also be used for removing theglass sheets from the edge ol the lower edges being ground. By way ofeX- ample, the clamping, device is illustrated in Fig. l as beingusedfor positioning a plurality of glass sheets 5 uponahorizontal rollerrunway consisting of a plurality of 'rolls 14. As shown, the

rolls-14 are'provided'witligrooves 15 and-the The spacing of the groovesis substantially the same as the spacing between the lingers Il, l2, andI4 of the clamping device so that the lower edges of the sheets can bereadily positioned within the .grooves 15 by simply lowering the sheetsupon the rolls.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown anddescribed is to be taken as the preferred embodiment of the same, andthat various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may beresorted to without departing from the spirit ofthe invention or thesc'ope of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. In a sheet handling device of the character described, a stationaryclamping unit provided with spaced stationary clamping lingers forreceiving the sheets therebetween, a movable clamping unit carried bysaid stationary clamping unit and including'spaced movable clampinglingers arranged at one side of said stationary lingers in substantiallytransverse alignment therewith and between which the sheets are alsoreceived, and means for actuating said movable clamping unit to move thelingers thereof out of alignment with the lingers of said stationaryunit to grip the sheets between the said stationary and movable fingers.

2. In a sheet handling device of the character described, a stationaryclamping unit provided with spaced stationary clamping lingers forreceiving the sheets therebetween, a movable clamping unit` includingspaced movable clamping lingers arranged at one side of said stationarylingers in substantially transverse alignment therewith and betweenwhich the sheets are also received, means for rockably mounting saidmovable clamping unit upon said stationary clamping unit, and means lorrocking said movable clamping unit relative to said stationary clampingunit to move the fingers thereof out of alignmentl with thelingers ofsaid stationary unit to grip the sheets between the said movable andstationary lingers.

3. In a sheet handlingdevice of the character described, a stationaryclamping unit provided with spaced stationary clamping lingers forrereceiving the' sheets therebetween, a movable clamping unit includingspaced movable clamping fingers arranged at one side of said stationarylingers in substantially transverse alignment therewith and betweenwhich the sheets are also received, means for rockably mounting saidrnov able clamping unit upon said stationary clamping unit, means forrocking said movable clamping unit in one direction upon said stationaryclamping unit to move the fingers thereof out of alignment with thelingers of said stationary unit to grip the sheets between the saidmovable and sta.. tionary lingers, and spring means acting to normallyrock said movable clamping. unit in the opposite direction to move thelingers thereof out of gripping engagement with the sheets and intosubstantial alignment with said stationary lingers.

4. In a sheet handling device of the character described, a stationaryclamping unit provided with spaced vertical stationary clamping fingersfor receiving the sheets between the lower ends thereof, a movableclamping unit including spaced vertical movable clamping lingersarranged at one side of said stationary fingers in substantiallytransverse alignment therewith and between the lower ends of which thesheets are also received, means for rockably mounting said movableclamping fingers intermediate the upper and lower ends thereof upon saidstationary clamping unit, and means carried by said stationary clampingunit and connected with the upper end of said movable clamping unit forrocking the latter to move the lingers thereof out of alignment with thelingers ofsaid stationary unit to grip the sheets between the saidmovable and stationary fingers.

5. In a sheet handling device of the character described, a stationaryclamping unit provided with spaced vertical stationary clamping lingersfor receiving the sheets between the lower ends thereof, a movableclamping unit including spaced vertical movable clamping lingersarranged at one side of said stationary lingers in substantiallytransverse alignment therewith and between the lower ends of which thesheets are also received, means l or rockably mounting said movableclamping fingers intermediate the upper and lower ends 'thereof uponsaid stationary clamping unit, means carried by said stationary clampingunit and connected with the upper end of said movable clamping unit forrocking the latter in one direction to move the fingers thereof out ofalignment with the lingers of said stationary unit to grip the sheetsbetween the said movable and stationary lingers, and spring means actingto normally rock said movable clamping unit in the opposite direction tomove the lingers thereof out of grippingA eng-agement with the sheets`and into substantial alignment with said stationary fingers.

v6. In a sheet handling device of the character described, a stationaryclamping unit embodying two transversely spaced series of stationaryclamping fingers, means for .connecting the lingers of each series inspaced relation, means for connecting the two series of fingers togetherin transverse alignment with one another, the sheets to be handledextending between the two `series of lingers and received within thespaces between the lingers of each series, a movable clamping unitcarried by said stationary clamping unitvbetween the two series offingers thereof, said movable clamping unit including a series of`spaced movable clamping fingers between which the sheets are alsoreceived, and means for actuating said movable clamping unit to causethe lingers thereof to clamp the sheets against the two series oflingers of said stationary clamping unit.

'7.,In a sheet handlingdevice of the character described, a stationaryclamping unit embodying two transversely spaced series of stationaryclamping lingers, means for connecting the fingers of each series inspaced relation, means for connecting the two series of lingers togetherin transverse alignment with one another, the sheets to be handledextending between the two series of fingers and received within thespaces between the lingers of each series, a movable clamping unitincluding a series of spaced movable clamping ,lingers between which thesheets are `also received,

means for rockably mounting said movable clamping lingers upon saidstationary clamping unit between the two series of lingers thereof, andmeans for rocking said movable clamping unit relative to said stationaryclamping unit to cause the lingers thereof to clamp the sheets againstthe two series of lingers of said stationary clamp-- ing unit.

8. In a sheet handling device of the character described, a stationaryclamping unit embodying two transversely spaced series of clampinglingers, means for connecting the lingers of each series in spacedrelation, means forconnecting the two series of fingers together intransstationary verse alignment with one another, the sheets to behandled extending between' the two series of fingers and received withinthe spaces between the fingers of each series, a movable clamping 5 unitincluding a series of spaced movable clamping ngers between which thesheets lare also received, means for rockably mounting said movableclamping fingers upon said stationary clamping unit between the twoseries of fingers thereof, means for rocking said movable clamping unitin one direction upon said stationary clamping unit to cause the fingersthereof to clamp the sheets against the two series of fingers of saidstationary clamping unit, and spring, means acting to normally rock saidmovable clamping unit in the opposite direction to move the fingersthereof out of gripping engagement with the sheets.

9. In a sheethandling device of the character described, a stationaryclamping unit embodying two transversely spaced series of stationaryclamping ngers, means for connecting the fingers of each series inspaced relation, means for connecting the two series of fingersto-gether in transverse alignment with one another, the sheets to behandled extending between the'two series of fingers and received withinthe spaces between the fingers of each series, a movable clamping unitincluding a series of spaced movable clampi ing fingers between whichthe sheetsare also re- 30 ceived, means for rockably mounting saidmovable clamping fingers intermediate the upper and lower ends thereofupon said stationary clamping unit between the two series of fingersthereof, and means carried by said stationary clamping unit andvconnected with the upper end of said movable clamping unit for rockingthe latter to cause-the iingers thereof to clamp the sheets against thetwo series of iingers of said stationary clamping unit. ,40 l0. In asheet handling device of the character described, a stationaryclampingunit embodying two transversely spaced series of stationary clampingfingers, means for connecting the fingers of each series in spacedrelation, means for connecting the two series of ngers together intransverse alignment with one another, Vthe sheets to be handledextending between the two series of lingers and received within thespaces between the fingers of each series, a movable clamping unitincluding a series of spaced movable clamping fingers between which thesheets are also received, means for rockably mounting said movableclamping fingers intermediate the upper and lower ends thereof upon saidstationary clamping unit between the two series of fingers thereof,means carried by said stationary clamping unit and connected with theupper end of said movable clamping unit for rocking the latter in onedirection to cause the fingers thereof to clamp the sheets against thetwo series of fingers of said stationary clamping unit, and spring meansacting to normally rock said movable clamping unit in the oppositedirection to move the fingers thereof out of gripping engagement withthe sheets.

11, In a sheet handling device of the character described, a stationaryclampingv unit embodying two transversely -spaced series of stationaryclamping ngers, `means for connecting the fingers of each series inspaced relation, means for connecting the two series of fingers togetherin transverse alignment with one another, the sheets to be handledextending between the two series of ngers and received within the spacebetween the fingers of each series, a movable clamping unit including aseries of spaced movable clamping fingers between whichr the sheets arealso received, means for rockably mounting said movable clamping lingersintermediate the upper and lower ends thereof upon said stationaryclamping unit between the two series of stationary fingers andintermediate the upper and lower ends thereof, means carried by saidstationary clamping unit and connected with the upper end of saidmovable clamping unit for rocking the latter in one direction to causethe fingers thereof to move relative to said stationary fingers to clampthe sheets against the two series of fingers of said stationary clampingunit, and spring means acting to normally rock said movable clampingunit in the opposite direction to move the fingers thereof out ofgripping engagement with the sheets and into substantial alignment withsaid stationary fingers.

12. In a sheet handling device of the character described, a stationaryclamping unitembodying two transversely spaced series of stationaryclamping fingers, means for connecting the iingers of each series inspaced relation, transverse plates extending between and secured to thetwo series of fingers intermediate the upper and lower ends thereof formaintaining the two series of fingers in transverse alignment with oneanother, bolts passing through said plates between the two series offingers, the sheets to be handled extending between the two series offingers beneath said plates and received within the spaces between thefingers of each series, a movable clamping unit including a series ofspaced movable clamping fingers received between the two series ofstationary fingers and rockably mounted upon said bolts intermediatetheir upper and lower ends, the sheets also being received between saidmovable clamping fingers, means for rocking said movable clamping ngersin one direction upon said bolts to cause said fingers to clamp thesheets against the two series of fingers of said stationary clampingunit, and spring means acting to normally rock said movable clampingfingers in the opposite direction to move them out of grippingengagement with the sheets and into substantial alignment with saidstationary clamp.- ing ngers.

ALPI-IIA R. BROTHERSON.

